Medical Profiles

Good information helps you make educated decisions about your health care. And when it comes to your health and the health of your family—you want only the best. A quality health care professional will listen to your concerns, inform you of every possible option, treat you in a respectful, compassionate manner, and help you achieve the best possible results. The following health care professionals are recognized leaders in their respective fields; many of them receiving the honor of being named a “Best Doctor for Women.”

Crutchfield Dermatology

Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., is the only Dermatologist to be selected every year as a “Top Doctor for Women” by Minnesota Monthly magazine. He has also been a recipient of Mpls.St.PaulMagazine’s “Top Doctor Award” for the past 10 years. Additionally, Dr. Crutchfield has been recognized as one of the leading physicians in the United States and is among 4 percent of physicians selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America.” Crutchfield Dermatology offers over ten years of experience treating medical and aesthetic skin issues. “Beautiful, healthy skin can have a profound effect on self-esteem and personal performance.

“There are many options for skin care,” explains Crutchfield, the first recipient of the Medica-Kare 11 Physician Healthcare Hero Award, “but nothing can compare to the quality, care and expertise of an experienced, board-certified dermatologist.“

A graduate of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Crutchfield is a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Carleton College. He teaches medical students, residents and other physicians, and is a recent recipient of the Minnesota Medical Association Foundation’s Minority Affairs Meritorious Service Award. He is the dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Wild professional sports teams. Crutchfield has co-authored a dermatology textbook, and children’s book on skin-care titled, Little Charles Hits A Home Run!. He has published more than 100 skin-care articles and has an award winning website CrutchfieldDermatology.com. Dr. Crutchfield is a regular expert contributor to many Twin Cities’ newscasts, radio programs, newspapers and magazines. His latest medical endeavor is an initiative requiring automobile, cell phone and insurance companies to equip cars with mandatory technology disabling texting while driving. Visit crutchfielddermatology.com/safetexting for more information.

Awarded Mayo Clinic’s “Karis Humanitarian Award,” Crutchfield embraces the Mayo brothers’ philosophy. “First and foremost, do what is best for the patient.” Dr. Crutchfield designs a custom skin care program that incorporates treatments at the forefront of medicine. His clinic is an Acne, Psoriasis, and Aesthetic Care Center of Excellence where he is the first and only “Expert Injector” in Minnesota. At Crutchfield Dermatology, it is evident that patient satisfaction is paramount. The reception area is graced with fresh cut flowers, a generous bowl of free skincare samples, and complimentary wireless Wi-Fi for patient productivity. When wary pediatric patients are presented with Crutchfield’s huge trademark rubber ducks, apprehension dissolves into delighted smiles. Patient testimonials also offer insight into the integrity and professionalism of the clinic. As patient Gabriel N. asserts, “I cannot say enough about Dr. Crutchfield and Crutchfield Dermatology. Dr. Crutchfield came in on the first visit and looked me right in the eye and told me he was going to help me. He and his staff were so great about quickly solving my skin issues. I cannot thank Dr. Crutchfield and his staff enough for all they have done for me. It has honestly changed my life and I now tell everyone I know to see him for any and all skin conditions. Thank you Crutchfield Dermatology.”

“I treat each patient personally with the highest quality care possible. If you have a skin care problem, I dedicate myself to solving it. My staff and I treat our patients with courtesy, dignity and respect. We make our patients look good and feel great with beautiful skin. At Crutchfield Dermatology we truly believe that ‘Experience Counts and Quality Matters.’”

What You Should Know

• Only Dermatologist Selected Every Year As A ‘Top Doctor for Women’ Since the Inception of the Minnesota Monthly Survey • Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School • Personally Performs all Botox, Restylane and Selphyl Treatments • Recognized by Minnesota Physician as one of the 100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders in the State of Minnesota

Associated Skin Care Specialists—Drs. Frederick Fish and Jane Lisko

If you ever have to hear the unnerving words: “You have skin cancer,” you’ll want experienced, dedicated doctors treating you, like Drs. Frederick Fish and Jane Lisko of Associated Skin Care Specialists, both selected as a “Best Doctor for Women.”

“I have developed a particular interest in treating some of the rarer and more aggressive skin cancers,” says Dr. Fish, a board-certified dermatologist with over 30 years of experience.

Dr. Lisko also focuses on the treatment and prevention of skin cancer, as well as cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery.

Both doctors use Mohs micrographic surgery to remove difficult-to-treat skin cancers, a procedure that preserves as much normal tissue as possible. As members of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, they have spent years training for and mastering this technique.

“I think that most people hear ‘dermatology’ and they think of acne, warts, psoriasis, and eczema,” says Dr. Lisko. “While these are concerns of a significant percentage of patients, people often forget about skin cancer and its seriousness.”

According to both doctors, the biggest challenge of their job is emphasizing the importance of photo-protection and sun avoidance (skin cancer prevention), as well as educating people about detecting the early signs of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the country, and seeking medical attention at the first suspicion is critical to successful treatment.

“While we all enjoy outdoor activities in the beautiful weather, we can make slight modifications to protect our skin better and still have fun,” says Dr. Lisko.

Their goal is to reduce future cases of skin cancer through education and awareness; only then will people change their behavior to make skin cancer prevention part of their daily routine.

In the meantime, it’s good to know Drs. Fish and Lisko are committed to the cause.

Chu Vision Institute

Dry eye syndrome is one of the leading reasons people visit their eye care professional. It’s a source of discomfort (burning, irritation), frustration (blurred vision), and annoyance (sensitivity to light) for the 20 million Americans who suffer, many of which are middle-aged women. Dry eye makes it difficult to read, drive, and work at a computer or spend any length of time in a very dry environment, like the cabin of an airplane.

“Chu Vision Institute is one of the first 15 sites in the country to take advantage of the revolutionary Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy treatment for dry eye,” says Dr. Y. Ralph Chu, founder and medical director, Chu Vision Institute, and adjunct associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota.

IPL started as a dermatology treatment for patients with the skin disorder rosacea. It works on dry eye by creating a significant amount of superficial heat, targeting the abnormal blood vessels and increasing the flow of impacted meibomian secretions. It’s comfortable and quick.

“One of the pleasant side effects of this procedure is younger, healthier looking skin,” says Dr. Chu.

This caring, dedicated doctor has 18 years of experience “giving people the gift of sight.”

His interest in the field of ophthalmology was sparked at the age of 10, when he saw a TV show about a man who regained his sight later in life and was able to see his child for the first time. “I never forgot the look on that man’s face,” says Dr. Chu. “I wanted to be able to help people in that same way.”

Today he is a fellowship-trained corneal specialist in cataract, refractive and corneal surgery. Having performed thousands of LASIK procedures to help people reduce their dependency on eyeglasses and contacts, his latest project is an FDA clinical trial designed to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. He has participated in over 50 clinical evaluations or FDA clinical trials dealing with cataract and intraocular lens implantation, phakic lens implantations, laser vision correction technologies, and ocular therapeutic treatments. He serves on numerous editorial boards and has lectured around the world. At the end of the day, though, it is always about the patients he sees at his Bloomington clinic.

“The trust my patients place in my staff and me is what I treasure the most,” says Dr. Chu. “My goal is to empower our patients through education so that they can make the best decisions possible to improve their vision and transform their lives.”

Minnesota Disc Institute

When it comes to bulging, herniated, and/or degenerative discs in the neck or lower back, there is a time and a place for surgery. Often, though, surgery can be a temporary band-aid, with problems returning down the road.

“If the disc is allowed to heal and repair, many patients will add more long-term pain-free years than they will gain in the short-term by having surgery,” says Dr. Jamy Antoine, BS, DC, FICPA, non-surgical disc specialist at the Minnesota Disc Institute, the sole facility in Minnesota providing the advanced, proven, effective, and proprietary non-surgical NSD Method™ for the treatment of damaged discs in the neck or low back, sciatic pain, and numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. Dr. Antoine speaks from experience. Several years ago, he was seeking relief for his own severe neck pain. He tried traditional chiropractic care, massage, exercise, and special stretches, with little to no relief. He went in for an MRI, and was shocked to learn that he had six bulging, herniated, and degenerative discs in his neck (as well as stenosis and arthritis).

“Due to my own neck damage, I switched gears in my practice. I had to find a solution that offered not only improvement in how I felt, but also had the potential to help me avoid the inevitable spinal surgery I was facing at a young age,” he says. “I trained to become a disc specialist. The method I now use helped me tremendously. I’m pain-free, and the chances of me having surgery for my past disc problems are now non-existant.”

It’s his goal and mission to help his patients improve, and avoid injections, drugs, and surgery, when possible.

“The discs in the body can heal, if given the right tools. Our program is the right tool for the job,” he explains.

The state-of-the-art trademarked NDS Method™ works because it gets to the real problem that other treatments miss or fail to address. This non-surgical procedure results in a lasting solution without side effects or recovery time, is completely pain-free, and has an over 95 percent success rate.

As one patient said, “I had been plagued by chronic neck pain for 20 years. The severity of the pain slowly continued to get worse, which was impacting my life, my family, and what I needed and liked to do. Today, due to the Minnesota Disc Institute, I am feeling so much better. I’m on the road to recovery—which gives me hope and happiness.”

Minnesota Oncology

Hope is a powerful force in healing. It not only sustains many through dark times; it’s at the core of why those who wrestle with a cancer diagnosis remain resilient. The staff of Minnesota Oncology knows that when the strength of hope is combined with remarkable scientific knowledge, lives can be saved.

As the largest physician-owned independent oncology practice in the upper Midwest, Minnesota Oncology attracts some of the finest physicians in the country—20 of whom were named “Best Doctors for Women” for their expertise and compassion in treating women with cancer and blood disorders.

The practice includes 58 board-certified specialists in 10 clinics across the metro, focusing on medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology and thoracic oncology. High-quality care is evident in the physicians’ access to clinical trials and the use of Clinical Pathways—treatment based on the latest research—available through an affiliation with The US Oncology Research Network. In addition to outstanding skills and reputation, the oncologists really listen to the fears and concerns of their patients, are respectful, patient, kind, and inspire confidence and trust.

“At Minnesota Oncology, we join together with our patients in a partnership to find the best treatment plan based on the most current research evidence available,” says Dr. Tom Flynn, president of the group. “We surround them with a team of dedicated professionals whose only job is to care for them on their journey through cancer as they return to their own best state of health.”

Woodbury Plastic Surgery—David Thao, MD

Today, change is within everyone’s reach. A change in your outward appearance, especially an area you’ve been self conscious about, can boost your self-confidence and give you the physical appearance you’ve always imagined. The right plastic surgeon—one you can trust—can make all the difference in the world.

Dr. David Thao of Woodbury Plastic Surgery, selected as a “Best Doctor for Women,” is not only a board-certified general and plastic surgeon, but also a member of the Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and medical director of plastic surgery at Bethesda Hospital. His patients come to him for facial rejuvenation such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), body contouring for massive weight loss, abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), breast reconstructions, breast augmentations, short scar breast reductions, skin cancer, wound care, breast lifts, and endoscopic brow lifts.

“I enjoy working with my hands and using them in a precise manner to “heal” patients,” he says, explaining how he chose his specialty. “Plastic surgery allows me the opportunity to treat anatomically diverse challenges from head to toe.”

It’s exciting to work in a field that’s always changing in terms of new technology, he says. He cites the exciting new advancements as non-invasive liposuction, less invasive skin resurfacing (such as ultrasound and radiofrequency), fat grafting and stem cells for both reconstructive and aesthetic applications, and tissue engineering of whole organs.

While he finds it personally rewarding to help solve challenging reconstructive and cosmetic problems and help patients look as good on the outside as they feel on the inside, he says every patient is unique and requires careful considerations. He has to get to know a patient and understand their expectations and motivations, their lifestyle and medical history, before educating them about available options.

“Sometimes plastic surgery is sensationalized in the media as quick and easy or can be thought of as a ‘quick-fix solution’ to much larger problems,” he says. “Safety always comes first. I actually turn some patients away because they may not be good candidates. Sometimes the hardest part of my job is to say no.”

The fact that he’s genuinely concerned and interested in his patients’ wishes and well-being—and not just the bottom line—speak volumes as to the quality of care he provides.

Dermatology Consultants

Cronk

Moore

Shaffer

Kauls

Saxena

Sale

Dermatology Consultants, P.A. was one of the first practices in the Twin Cities devoted to dermatologic medicine. Today our 18 board-certified dermatologists provide a full spectrum of services for adults and children including general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Whether we’re improving a teen’s complexion, conducting skin cancer screenings, or recommending the latest technology as part of a cosmetic consultation, our doctors are committed to providing the highest quality of care.

As dermatologists we are specifically trained in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail disorders. In addition we are passionate about the screening, prevention, and treatment of skin cancers including melanoma. We are experienced in performing skin biopsies and surgical procedures and perform more than 8,000 skin cancer treatments a year, including Mohs surgeries.

Our dermatologists are the leaders in the latest and most effective cosmetic technologies, treatments, and products available to improve the health and appearance of our patients’ skin. From restoring sun damaged skin and minimizing wrinkles, to removing unwanted hair, we use leading-edge non-surgical laser and ultrasound technology to help our patients look and feel their best.

We have four locations in Eagan, St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury. As one of the oldest and most respected dermatology practices in the Twin Cities, we’ve earned our reputation as the skin care experts.

Metro Urology

As the largest private urology practice in the state, Metro Urology is a center of excellence, serving patients in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

There are 26 compassionate physicians and mid-level providers who treat patients for a wide range of urologic conditions at 12 locations. Two Metro Urology physicians, Dr. Steven Siegel and Dr. Jodi Michaels, were voted “Best Doctors for Women” in 2013.

The Center for Continence Care is a service of Metro Urology committed to treating men and women with urinary incontinence (leakage), and all types of voiding dysfunction including urinary urgency and frequency. Women are commonly treated for issues such as pelvic prolapse, pelvic pain, and female sexual dysfunction. Because Metro Urology has many sub-specialists who are very experienced in these female urologic disorders, their patients get the very best care available in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

Many physicians recognize the value of the specialized services offered at Metro Urology and refer their patients for sophisticated diagnostic testing and innovative treatment options.

Visit metro-urology.com or call 651-999-6811 to learn more about the practice, ask a question, or request an appointment. Metro Urology has locations throughout the metro area and in Faribault, Hudson and River Falls, Wis.

Edina Plastic Surgery

The only practice in the state creating virtual images using the Vectra XT 3D camera

The most advanced technology meets the highest form of artistry.

At Edina Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on our high standards of training, ethics, artistry, and technology. We have been serving the local area for over 35 years. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Robert Wilke, Dr. Michael Philbin, and Dr. Nathan Leigh have treated thousands of patients with personalized attention and genuine care.

EPS is the only practice in Minnesota to offer the Vectra XT 3D Camera, a revolutionary technology allowing patients to experiment with different looks on their own bodies before procedures like breast augmentations and rhinoplasties. This visualization software opens the lines of communication so that the patient and their physician are on exactly the same page. We are also one of the few plastic surgery practices to have a convenient accredited in-house surgery center.

Allergy and Asthma Specialists

When you’re dealing with allergies and asthma, you want a specialist who can effectively help you prevent and manage your symptoms.

Dr. Allan Stillerman, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, CPI, is that specialist. His focus is on evaluation and management of environmental allergies, food allergies and anaphylaxis; diagnosing and managing asthma-identifying triggers; and using the least amount of the safest and most effective medications to control asthma—especially in pregnant women.

This incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable doctor stays on the cutting edge of research, advises support groups, listens carefully, and spends considerable time creating customized plans for his patients—based on their medical history, physical findings, and tests—to improve their overall quality of life. “The most satisfying aspect of what I do is turning the life of a patient around, leading them in the right direction,” he says.